Over the last few years, I have also mastered PowerPoint and have worked on, literally, thousands of slides which I professionalise, making everything consistent, re-creating charts and graphics, and sourcing and supplying ‘legal’ photography, rather than those our clients sometimes take from the internet.

I bring my cockapoo, Hugo, into the office most days. We go for a long walk in a nearby forest every morning before work, to make sure he’ll snooze the day away under my desk. So if I’m ever looking a bit windswept on an early Teams call, that’ll be why.
If he’s not in the office with me, he’s at home with my fiancé – who I’ll be marrying next month!

You can find out about my other colleagues here

The post Milly Austin (soon-to-be Surguy) first appeared on V-one.

The post Milly Austin (soon-to-be Surguy) appeared first on V-one.

Most items of literature are created using Adobe InDesign, the professional, industry standard application for desktop publishing.

Good design in desktop publishing enhances readability and boosts credibility. It projects a level of professionalism, authority and believability that boosts the image and perception of a brand. Bad desktop publishing delivers the opposite and can actually help to damage a brand’s identity.

I have many years’ experience in desktop publishing and I’ve touched on five of the most important aspects of creating a layout that will draw readers in and enable them to digest the information easily.

Deciding what’s most important.
If everything has to stand out, then nothing will stand out. So ensure the reader hooks on to one main attraction on the page. It might be an image a graphic or a headline, but keep it clean, clear and simple. The remaining bulk of content can then be added – as secondary importance. Don’t worry… it will still be read! Enlarging text, boldening it, colouring it and otherwise trying to draw attention to it should be kept to an absolute minimum; too much will simple add a level of clutter that isn’t very pleasing on the eye. And it can look pretty messy! Make sure there’s a clear direction in the reading order. Any text that’s not too relevant to the page but might need to be there for legal reasons, for example, should be demoted to the outer reaches of the page.

Margins and grids:
These are the very foundations of good layout design though, proportionately, they differ across document types. A white paper, for example, might have slightly larger margins and column gutters to ensure there is enough ‘white space’ in these, traditionally, text-heavy types of documents. A good grid structure is imperative for comfortable alignment throughout larger documents, such as brochures and books, to create consistency.

Consistency:
Maintain a small number of fonts, font weights and sizes in any one document. The same applies to the use of colour and the style of illustrations and photography. This will provide a clean, eye-pleasing canvass that is pleasant to read and digest.

Balance:
The symmetry and balance of a page or spread will help the reader rest their eyes comfortably and not be distracted. This includes ensuring line lengths of text are similar (don’t ever leave a widow – a single word – on a line on its own!), columns are balanced, and that heavy content sections are balanced with ‘fresh air’ – clean, light, airy or no content – elsewhere on the page or spread.

White space:
One of the most over-looked aspects of page layout is ‘no content’. But it’s just as important as ‘content’ in delivering a well-ordered and informative page. Think of it as page feng shui; no one wants to sit and relax with a cup of peppermint tea in a room scattered with kid’s toys, a stack of un-ironed clothes in the corner and dirty dinner plates waiting to be washed up.
The same is metaphorically true of page layout. If you have a lot of content to get across, consider adding more pages rather than cramming it all into a tight space. Your readers will appreciate it!

Milly Austin, senior designer / studio manager

The post The lowdown on layout first appeared on V-one.

The post The lowdown on layout appeared first on V-one.

1. What’s the objective or purpose of the piece?
   Should it generate interest or sales, wet an appetite or get people to act? If a reaction or reply is required, then we’ll need to include a suitable response mechanism.
   
   
2. What will you supply?
   Are you supplying the final text or draft text for us to editing? Are you supplying photographs and illustrations or are we originating or sourcing these? Knowing who’s doing what will avoid any dubious ‘assumptions’ later on.
   
   
3. What do want us to supply?
   Obviously, we’ll be providing design and layouts but how many choices would you like to see? Are you okay with low resolution PDFs being e-mailed or would you prefer regular face-to-face Teams meetings? Do you want the finished print-resolution PDF or the finished, printed item? Do you also want the source files?
   
   
4. Who’s the target audience?
   What appeals to an 80-year-old man won’t necessarily appeal to a 20-year old pregnant woman. What appeals to a scientist won’t necessarily appeal to an artist or musician. Therefore, it’s vital that we attract the right people to the piece.
   
   
5. What’s the deadline?
   This doesn’t just mean for the finished item; it could also include when the various ‘stage’ designs are delivered along the way. Set a realistic time plan –checked and approved for all concerned – leaving enough time for the designer to work their magic too.
   
   
6. Are there any restrictions?
   Is there an existing corporate identity to follow? Are there any legality issues that need to be considered? Are cultural issues relevant with the piece? Advising of this up front will save a lot of time (and money) later!
   
   
7. What’s the budget?
   If we’re not given a budget, it means that we are dictating how much time and effort is required to complete the task and meet the objectives. If we are given a budget, we can adjust the time allocated to the task – either up or down. Our regular clients are familiar with our costs so there are usually no surprises but new clients should always request a quotation.
   
   
8. Background information
   Where is it going to be displayed, given out or used? If we are being asked to design an A5 flyer, will it later need to be enlarged to roller-banner size? Is the poster being displayed in a darkened room or 60-feet high above the audience? Any information, not directly related to the item, will allow us to see the bigger picture and may well influence elements of the design – for the better.

If you can cover off all these points, I can guarantee you will give the project the best possible foundation upon which to build a great solution that will meet your objectives and be good enough to go into our portfolio. If you miss out anything, rest assured we’ll ask the right questions!

The post The 8-point, fool-proof graphic design briefing. first appeared on V-one.

The post The 8-point, fool-proof graphic design briefing. appeared first on V-one.